Comments on: Wink Hartman Sr. makes changes at Hartman Arena

By: homerd

homerd — Tue, 04 Aug 2009 11:54:53 +0000

How come the wind turbines all seem to work in other parts of the state. The turbines in Great Bend and Jetmore all seem to be running and they aren’t the big megawatt turbines. Sure looks odd driving by seeing that thing just sit there idle.

By: bth

bth — Thu, 09 Jul 2009 13:08:37 +0000

pj – based on my current experience in the building where I work – we are freezing – it can take some time to line out HVAC systems.

By: pjworker

pjworker — Wed, 08 Jul 2009 23:22:39 +0000

Frank, Frank, Frank shouldn’t all of this have been worked out before Mr. Hartman opened the doors and started charging people to come sit in his sauna for a concert? The opening act was Mar 28th that has been three months ago how long does it take for the vendor/manufacturer to re-write the package from the ground up or how long will it take to find the problem with either defective sensors or wiring, and/or control software? This all sounds serious. People should be warned ahead of time. Maybe you should put something about this on the Hartman website since you seem to be very informed!!!!

By: bth

bth — Wed, 08 Jul 2009 20:59:12 +0000

Thanks for the update Frank. I have a feeling Hartman will be successful while IBA will be a money pit. As you note the overhead costs at IBA will overwhelm small shows and there won’t be that many large ones. I will be very interested in seeing how things work out for the Thunder.

By: Frank_Lingo

Frank_Lingo — Wed, 08 Jul 2009 18:02:31 +0000

@ pj and others… The HVAC issue is not a matter of ownership or management failing to turn the equipment on, it’s a failure of the software that controls the equipment. The vendor/manufacturer is re-writing the package from the ground up. The problem with the wind turbine is similar: lots of stuff out there for MEGAWATT generators, but this one is in the KILOWATT league… 350kW, IIRC. At any rate, the problem is either defective sensors or wiring, and/or control software. The turbine does not point into the wind because of these problems. They will be fixed.

Most of the other physical problems being addressed came about as the scope of the project changed from a “sports barn” to multi-use facility. Those changes came about after most of the design work was done and some of the construction already underway. Mr. Hartman is aware of these problems and takes them seriously. He’s already spent (by my estimation) close to $1 million since opening to improve things and fix what got missed in the design changes.

If you’re a fan, you’ll see the show regardless of where it’s held. If you’re not a fan, you won’t go regardless of where it’s held.

As to IBA… wait and see. The fixed costs associated with it will be much higher than Hartman, and the resulting cost per seat to a promoter/presenter will be higher. Unless a presenter is likely to sell 75% of available seats he’ll probably lose money. The biggest of the national, “A” level shows will play IBA, the rest will play in Hartman presuming the show can be physically accommodated (rigging load).

Frank “works inside arenas and stadia for a living” Lingo

By: pjworker

pjworker — Tue, 07 Jul 2009 23:08:48 +0000

I do think Jacque needed to go. Her and her buddy Nath spent most of their time in the two bars eating free food and drinking free alcohol. Maybe with her gone he will pay more attention to what needs to be done around there and actually do something. Mr Hartman on the other hand is just as guilty, he needs to consider the comfort of his customers who pay good money to attend the events. Turning on the air conditioning would be a start. Mr Hartman is more interested in turning the arena into a country club. He and his friends come out there, run up big tabs in the bar, eat free food and treat all the help like they are invisable and then they don’t even leave tips. Most of the customers who pay to attend the events don’t come out there for fancy foods, give me nachos, burgers and pretzels and charge me a fair price. I’ve already spent a fotune just to get into the place. Come on Hartman, give us a good price for a good show and a good place to attend it in and we will come! If not, you and your friends will be sitting out there in your Loge boxes all by yourself.

By: ssmks

ssmks — Tue, 07 Jul 2009 15:43:08 +0000

Just because someone is a Pastry Chef doesn’t mean that is all they are capable of doing!! That was just one of many job titles she held!! Let’s wait and see before you start bashing. If you people are so disappointed, then why go? In a few months you’ll be wishing you did!!

By: ColtDucksnort

ColtDucksnort — Tue, 07 Jul 2009 12:21:29 +0000

I would charge people in a Hybrid $25.00 to park, look at all the money they save on gas they can afford it.

By: oldgoat

oldgoat — Tue, 07 Jul 2009 11:16:34 +0000

I admire Wink for building his own facility and still believe that the area is far better than downtown is. However I have never agreed with the idea of paying for parking. It should be included in the price of the ticket.

By: hersheybar

hersheybar — Tue, 07 Jul 2009 03:23:22 +0000

When you build a second class barn, you get a second class barn. I’m confident the food will improve with a pastry chef in charge. How many long johns can a guy eat. What a joke…